Tainted Blood

- FOUR -

A week or so later I was finally discharged from the infirmary after being poked and prodded by doctors and nurses. Eddie helped me pack up my things as Dimitri was in a guardian meeting, which he specifically told me not to go to on the orders that I 'Have to rest'. Originally I was intending to sneak in and see what they were being called in for until Dimitri asked Eddie to take me back to our home so I don't get into 'trouble' - AKA follow him and get up to mischief.

 I guess he figured I wouldn't try anything with Eddie escorting me back to our home because he knew (goddammit!) that I wouldn't put his new found guardian reputation in jeopardy (again I might add). Dimitri knew how to play me. The trip home was filled with a comfortable chatter, which was nice. Eddie was one of those who would help me without question, which was both a good and bad thing. He was very easy to get along with. His determination as a guardian had earned him a very prestigious charge, which he was very excited and nervous to take on as he still felt guilty about what happened with Mason. Eddie drove the car up the driveway towards Dimitri and I's newly claimed home, yet again helping me move my three bags up to my room and placing them on the carpet floor.

"I guess I should get my bags together for tomorrow" His face changed into a grin. Eddie received Jill as his assignment as soon as she was confirmed as Lissa's sister. He was heading out to Palm Springs bright and early tomorrow morning to go into hiding. I nodded my head in acknowledgment before giving him a quick hug which he returned.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do" I replied stepping back to give him a wink.

"Rose, I wouldn't attempt half the things you would" Eddie's face changed into a lazy smile as he said his final goodbyes and headed out the front door.

An odd feeling started to settle in my stomach as I walked around and admired our new home. Lissa had brought it for Dimitri and I a while after she became queen. The house was massive - two stories with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two garages, a massive kitchen and two different entertainment rooms. It would have cost quite a bit, but as she would say -time and time again- "its the best of the best for our two greatest guardians". 

Then she would give Christian a squeeze and his eyes would just about pop out of his head while his face would contort in discomfort due to her newly developed strength. I felt a smile grace my face from the memory. Lately, Lissa has been trying to improve her basic combat skills, which has caused her to develop some muscles. This move, of course, was quite controversial and a lot of individuals strongly disagreed with the idea of Moroi fighting alongside with the Dhampirs, let alone the newly crowned queen. Not that she let that stop her, she was quite determined.

The house felt empty, it didn't have many personal items in it due to Dimitri and I being in Baia for a couple of months. All there was were a couple of photo frames strategically hung on the walls, each one holding a precious moment in time; Lissa and I hugging each other tightly when we experienced our first Halloween out in the real world, Dimitri and I making silly faces at Lissa who was holding the camera and trying to take some serious photos. 

Sighing I walked aimlessly around the house, admiring the rooms that I had forgotten while we were in Russia. Taking Dimitri's advice, I made my way to the entertainment room, switching on the TV while throwing myself on the couch. The urge to check up on Lissa was strong, and yet again I tried to connect to her through our old bond but reached utter darkness. I felt empty as I tried to reach out to her but with no prevail while my mood was slowly but surely plummeting to a new low. The television was drowned out and time was forgotten as I got lost in the plummet.

Everything that happened between when I left to kill Dimitri as a Strigoi and losing the bond with Lissa finally hit me like a ton of bricks. Every little thing I tried to push down and hide came rushing up to the surface, knocking me over and winding me in the process. Tears I never knew I held down where falling everywhere, just like my body, I was slipping from the sofa and falling to the floor. What happened to be resilient, strong and brave?

* *

I cleaned myself up before Dimitri came home from the guardian meeting, which involved a very long and hot shower and a couple of doughnuts. I was in the middle of writing an email to Viktoria on the kitchen table when a pair of strong arms enveloped me from behind and a heavy Russian accent whispered a husky hello in my ear. I quickly turned in his arms, my face holding a bright smile just for him. Looking up into his chocolate brown eyes made me realise how much I adore and love him and how lucky I was to have this man in my life after all that we have been through together. What was really amazing though, was to see this love and adoration shine right back at me as he looked at me with that heart-stopping smile.

"How was the meeting?" I really wanted to know what went on when I wasn't there, but I'm sure nothing too exciting happened. Dimitri gave me a light peck on the lips before heading to the fridge to grab a drink.

"It was alright. There were a couple of Strigoi attacks that needed to be addressed, but other than that nothing that you need to worry about" His back was to me, so it was hard to know if he was hiding something or not. Giving him the benefit of the doubt I changed the topic.

"I was thinking of seeing Lissa tomorrow" I tried to make my voice as happy as possible. Dimitri turned around to face me, his hand still holding the fridge door and eyebrows raised.

"Are you sure you'll be alright to go out?" Now I tried to do the one eyebrow raise but failed. Dimitri laughed at my attempt.

"Of course I'm going to be okay. I can't stay in this house for too long or I'll go crazy" Dimitri turned back to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. Meanwhile, he was muttering under his breath. A sigh escaped my lips as I went back to trying writing the email. Dimitri ran his hands through his hair before walking towards me and giving me a breathtaking kiss on the lips.

"I'm going to take a shower, then head to bed" He gave me a smirk. "Want to join me?" Well, I guess another shower wouldn't hurt. I jumped off my seat, enveloping him in a hug before kissing him passionately. Dimitri hoisted my legs around his waist and walked us to our bathroom which connected with the main bedroom. My hands found their way to his shirt where my fingers traced his tense chest muscles. Everything was taken off quickly, except the shiny ring on my left hand. Let's just say things heated up pretty quickly.